Casa Grande Union board approves higher job-order cap and moves forward on multi‑million facilities work

The Casa Grande Union High School District governing board on June 8 approved several routine fiscal items and a motion to raise the district’s single job-order contracting limit to $4 million so staff can start critical facilities projects funded through a $7.5 million lease.

Superintendent Lavender described a multi-project package that includes a $3.859 million multi-phase concrete remediation at Union’s main courtyard and walkways, restroom renovations across 44 restrooms, approximately $1.9 million to create three updated science labs at both Vista and Union, and track repairs (roughly $800,000) to address root damage and safety hazards. Administration said total work across projects could range from $7.5 million up to $10–11 million depending on state assistance and scope adjustments.

Facilities staff provided a detailed scope for the restroom work, explaining crews will remove old tile, retrofit lighting to prevent vandalism, jet and rehabilitate aging cast‑iron waste piping, replace fixtures, and install ADA-compliant elements. "We're tearing out all the old tile... we're actually retrofitting all of the lights," said Ralph, a district facilities staff member, explaining the work is intended to reduce trip and electrical hazards and restore reliable plumbing.

Staff said phase one of the Union concrete project must be completed by July 13 to avoid further safety risks; the project was phased so some later phases could be scheduled for October, December and the following March. Administrators also noted contingency sums were included and that they had obtained contractor price agreements that include after-hours and weekend work to meet tight timelines.

The board unanimously approved the motion to increase the maximum individual job-order contracting amount to $4 million to allow the district to move forward with these projects and related procurements. Board members also approved routine items on the consent agenda, including the annual CAVIT intergovernmental agreement (career-technical education), a combined resolution authorizing the county treasurer to invest district funds, annual workers-compensation renewal, property-and-liability insurance renewals through the Arizona Schools Risk Retention Trust, a school-meal program agreement and a slate of community donations.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve fiscal year 2027 CAVIT intergovernmental agreement: approved, yes votes — Mr. Wilkey; Mrs. Harrington; Mr. Jordan; Mr. Pow. - Motion to approve FY2027 combined resolution for county treasurer: approved, unanimous. - Motion to renew Alliance workers compensation coverage for FY2027: approved, unanimous. - Motion to renew Arizona Schools Risk Retention Trust property and liability coverage: approved, unanimous. - Motion to increase the maximum job-order contract amount to $4,000,000: approved, unanimous. - Motion to approve school meal program agreement (Chartwells) for three external sites: approved, unanimous. - Motion to accept listed donations: approved, unanimous. - Motion to approve the consent agenda: approved, unanimous.

Administration said contractors will coordinate schedules to minimize disruption to athletic events and school activities; staff also said they will post project updates and progress photos on the district website and email lists. Several board members suggested using the district’s communications channels (including the proposed AI chat) to keep families informed about closures and phased access during construction.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:35 p.m.